Fijian player gets 7-game ban 'white people' comment

Auckland - The Oceania Football Confederation has handed a seven-game ban to a Fijian player who used the phrase "white people" in reference to match officials during an OFC Champions League semi-final match.

The governing body says Lautoka forward Samuela Drudru has also been banned from entering stadiums for "discriminatory behaviour." The OFC says a sanction over the mandatory five-game ban reflected "the gravity of the incident."

The referee from New Zealand reported comments Drudru made after being sent off for a second yellow card in the match against Marist of the Solomon Islands on April 22.

Fijian media reported Drudru acknowledged using the phrase "white people."

Without Drudru, Lautoka lost 6-0 to Team Wellington in the first leg of the Champions League final. The return game is on Sunday in Fiji.